The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Vishwanath Suresh as Chairman cum-Managing Director, MOIL Limited while LOKPAL/CBI investigations are underway against him. According to the regulatory filing with stock exchanges NMDC said that in terms of Regulation 30 read with Schedule-III of SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015, this is to intimate that NMDC Ltd has been informed by the Ministry of Steel, Govt. of India vide order dated January 19, 2024 that the Competent Authority, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-rule 1 of Rule 20 of the Conduct, Discipline and Appeal Rules, 1978 of NMDC Ltd. has placed Vishwanath Suresh, Director (Commercial), NMDC Ltd under suspension with immediate effect. 

Lokpal and CBI investigations pertain to complaints by a Whistle Blower against supplies of steel by SAIL to M/s Venkatesh Infra Projects Pvt Ltd & M/s Avon Steel Industries Pvt Ltd. During this period, Suresh was Regional Manager of the Northern Region of Central Marketing Organisation of SAIL and both the above firms were also belonging to the Northern Region. CBI has registered two FIRs namely RC2182024A0021 dated October 10, 2024 and RC2182025A0015 dated July 25, 2025 U/S 120B, 420, 468, 471 IPC and Sections 7, 9 and 12 of the P.C. Act, 1988 as amended. FIRs have been registered by CBI based on the order dated 10.01.2024 of Lokpal of India against Complaints No 73 & 74 of 2023. 

The suspension was revoked by the Ministry of Steel on June 28, 2024. While revoking the suspension the balance salary for the suspension period was not released by the ministry to him as Lokpal/CBI investigations were pending, which are going on till date. 

It is not clear how the Ministry of Steel cleared the name of Vishwanath Suresh for selection and appointment as Chairman cum-Managing Director, MOIL Limited when on one hand Lokpal/CBI investigations are still pending and on the other hand till date ministry has not released the balance salary to him for the suspension period.